The cavernous deck is a symphony of controlled chaos. Flashing lights illuminate the well-practiced launching and retrieval of spacecraft, which are then turned over to the ground crew. Like a watchful guardian, a control tower stands dominantly in the middle of the deck, overseeing and controlling the squadron's hive-like movements. Painted on the back wall of the space, a coiled viper looms threateningly, seeming to represent the pride they take in belonging here. Pilots, ground crew, mechanics, and officers, all donning the dark purple and black of the squadron, move back and forth through space as if all are on a mission of urgency.
Oliver Lee exudes energy. Dressed in his squadron uniform, he seems poised to jump up at a moment's notice to save the world. With a buzzed haircut and tightly-shaven face, he could be the poster boy for the young TSC.
I couldn't wait to get here. We were given a choice after we finished high school whether to enlist in the TSC, but for me, this was the only choice. My parents died in the attack. They were in Berlin at the time working on a film. I was young, but I still remember them, and they didn't deserve to die like that.
They were both set designers. Pretty cool actually; I can watch the movies they worked on... it's nice. I was with my grandparents at the time of the attack, but they both died a few months later because of the bombs' damage. I have more family than that, but nobody had time to look for them in the wake of the attack. I was placed in an orphanage with a a lot of other kids. I was there for four years. Then the TSC showed up and asked if any of us wanted to enter their program. I couldn't sign up fast enough. I wanted out of that place, and I wanted payback.
I was in the first batch to enter the program, and I loved everything about it. Yeah, the high-school part wasn't that great, not too far from real high school, I imagine, except that it prepared us for the next step, the Terran Space Command. To get into TSC Military Institute, you have to commit for eight years after high school, but again, that was a no-brainer for me.
Univerity flew by for me. It was fun. Challenging, but fun. There is a hefty emphasis placed on teamwork, relying on your brothers and sisters to accomplish the mission, so I grew very close to my classmates. They became my family, really the only family I have left. We all grew close.
After graduation, I was made 2nd lieutenant in Viper 3, or 3rd interceptor squadron, but I won't get to solo an interceptor until I've completed two years as a trainee. One year left. Do you know about the squadrons?
I answered that I did not.
There are eight squadrons in TSC. Let me see... Viper, mine of course, then Wolfpack, the Black Knights, the Blue Barons, the Red Tails, the Red Devils, the Cobras, and the Golden Eagles. Yeah, that's all of them. Of course, they are all excellent squadrons, but, in my humble opinion, Viper squadron might have the edge this year. (He smiles.)
The edge?
Oh, sorry, I guess I just assume everyone knows about the squadrons. When the TSC was put together, they were still trying to create an organization that met humanity's needs first. To create a unified command. President Rosita pushed the idea, which was then molded by... I'm not sure. Anyway, the squadrons were created. The eight squadrons not only represent interceptor squadrons like my own, but everything and everyone, including the destroyers. Every member of the TSC belongs to a squadron. Cooks, mechanics, flight crew, marines, cleaners, technicians, everyone. The members of your squadron become your family. You do everything with them: train, attend classes, eat, and fight. It's easy to recognize a squadron member because we each have our own color and mascot.
In Phoenix, there are eight space docks where you spend most of your time. Each space dock has its own canteens, training centers, offices, and of course, interceptors. There are a few places where the squadrons mix. The biggest is the main hospital. There, we're all the same, which is a reminder that we're all human, which tops everything else.
Does it work? I mean, does it replace the national ties?
For me, it has, but the program is still in its infancy, as is the TSC. The younger guys in my squadron, those who have gone through the whole program, are much closer to each other than the older guys, I think. By older guys, I mean the ones who fought for their country. They're great guys and mentors, don't get me wrong, but you can see them hovering near their countrymen a lot. That's not the case with us. I don't even know what country some of the younger guys came from.
It's a funny thing, you know. I'm from Germany, and I appreciate the country, but I left it when I was young. I don't feel a strong pull to it, no more so than any other Terran country. I'm Viper, and have been since I was twelve.
Have you had interaction with the Jhi or any of the other aliens?
With the Jhi, a bit. I haven't talked to any of the ambassadors, but I've seen them around the base quite a bit. They seem okay, really. In one of my classes, an aerial combat class, one of my instructors was asked about the Jhi ambassadors. The teacher, who was a pilot from Canada, told us that they reminded him of people who worked for human resources. None of us in the class knew what HR was, but he said they're the kind of people who tell you what you want to hear, and they'll always smile and slap your back like they're your buddy, right until
